North Carolina Casinos Guide

Introduction

North Carolina's casino industry is built around tribal gaming operations that have become major entertainment destinations for residents and visitors alike. While the state does not have commercial casinos, several tribal gaming facilities offer slot machines, table games, poker, sportsbooks, hotels, restaurants and live entertainment.

The state's gaming market is anchored by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Nation, whose casino properties attract millions of visitors annually and generate significant economic benefits for their surrounding communities. These destinations have evolved beyond gaming to become full-scale resort experiences serving guests from across the Southeast.

In recent years, North Carolina has expanded its gambling landscape through legal sports betting while tribal casino operators continue investing in new amenities, gaming options and resort development. As a result, the state has become one of the Southeast's most active regulated gaming markets.

This guide provides a complete overview of North Carolina casinos, including casino locations, tribal gaming operations, gambling laws, sports betting information, economic impact and the future of gaming in the Tar Heel State.

Unlike many states that authorize commercial casinos through state licensing programs, North Carolina's casino industry operates through tribal gaming agreements between federally recognized Native American tribes and the state government. Tribal gaming has become a major economic driver for several regions of North Carolina, supporting tourism, employment and infrastructure investments.

Today, all casino gambling in North Carolina takes place on tribal lands under federally regulated gaming frameworks that allow tribes to operate casino facilities while maintaining certain aspects of tribal sovereignty.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
88 Council House Loop
Cherokee, NC 28719
Phone: 828.497.7000
Website

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is one of North Carolina's most influential tribal governments and serves as the state's largest tribal gaming operator. Based in Cherokee, the tribe operates Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.

Gaming revenue helps support tribal government operations, healthcare programs, housing initiatives, economic development, education and cultural preservation efforts. The Cherokee gaming enterprise has transformed western North Carolina into one of the Southeast's leading casino destinations.

Catawba Nation

CATAWBA NATION
996 Avenue of the Nations
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 366-4792
Website

The Catawba Nation operates Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain. Located near the Charlotte metropolitan area, the property expanded legal casino gambling access to one of North Carolina's fastest-growing regions.

The casino serves as a major economic development initiative for the tribe while providing gaming, dining and entertainment options for visitors throughout the Carolinas.

Lumbee Tribe

The Lumbee Tribe is the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River and is centered in Robeson County. While the tribe does not currently operate a casino, it remains an important part of North Carolina's tribal heritage and political landscape.

The Lumbee Tribe has played a significant role in discussions involving tribal development, federal recognition and economic opportunities within the state.

Understanding Tribal-State Gaming Compacts

Casino gaming in North Carolina operates under tribal-state compacts, which are legal agreements between federally recognized tribes and the State of North Carolina. These agreements are authorized by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which established the framework for tribal gaming throughout the United States.

Tribal-state compacts establish the rules governing casino operations, including permitted games, licensing procedures, regulatory oversight, auditing requirements, public safety coordination and responsible gaming standards.

Unlike commercial casinos licensed directly by state governments, tribal casinos are operated by sovereign tribal nations. The compact system allows tribes and states to work together while respecting tribal self-governance.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Compact

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates its gaming facilities through agreements negotiated with North Carolina and approved under federal law. These agreements have evolved over time as gaming offerings and resort amenities expanded.

Catawba Nation Compact

The Catawba Nation's gaming operations are governed through a separate framework that authorizes casino operations in Kings Mountain and provides the regulatory foundation for continued development of the resort.

Why Tribal-State Compacts Matter

• Determine which casino games may be offered
• Establish regulatory oversight standards
• Create compliance and auditing requirements
• Coordinate public safety and law enforcement efforts
• Support responsible gaming initiatives
• Provide economic development opportunities for tribal governments

Below is a complete directory of casinos currently operating in North Carolina.

TRIBAL CASINOS
Three casinos in North Carolina operate under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Each tribe has negotiated a gaming compact with the state to define the types and numbers of casino games to operate and the percentage of gaming revenues to pay to the state.

PREVIOUSLY PROPOSED CASINOS
These four new casinos were under consideration in the North Carolina legislature.

North Carolina permits several forms of regulated gambling, including tribal casino gaming, state lottery games, charitable gaming and sports betting. Unlike states with commercial casino industries, casino gambling in North Carolina is limited to tribal gaming facilities operating under federally authorized tribal-state compacts.

The state's gaming framework has evolved significantly over the past several decades, expanding from lottery gaming and charitable gaming to include full-scale tribal casinos and regulated sports wagering. However, many forms of gambling remain prohibited under North Carolina law, including traditional commercial casinos and online casino gaming.

Legal Casino Gaming

Casino gambling is legal in North Carolina only at tribal gaming facilities operated by federally recognized Native American tribes. These properties offer Class III gaming under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and applicable tribal-state gaming agreements.

Visitors can legally play a variety of casino games, including slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and poker at authorized tribal casinos.

Sports Betting

North Carolina permits both in-person and mobile sports betting through regulated operators. Eligible bettors must be at least 21 years old and physically located within state boundaries when placing wagers.

Legal sports betting options include professional sports, collegiate athletics and many other approved sporting events, subject to state regulations and operator rules.

Any future legalization of online casino gaming would require action by state lawmakers and regulatory authorities.

North Carolina Education Lottery

The North Carolina Education Lottery offers a variety of draw games, instant-win products and multi-state lottery games. Lottery revenue helps support public education initiatives throughout the state.

Players must be at least 18 years old to purchase lottery tickets and participate in authorized lottery games.

Charitable Gaming

North Carolina permits certain charitable gaming activities conducted by qualified nonprofit organizations. Authorized activities may include bingo games, raffle events and other fundraising opportunities conducted in accordance with state regulations.

Organizations must comply with licensing, reporting and operational requirements established by state law.

Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering

North Carolina does not currently operate a commercial horse racing industry with traditional pari-mutuel wagering. The state's gambling market is primarily focused on tribal casino gaming, lottery products and sports betting.

Legal Gambling Ages in North Carolina

Who Regulates Gambling in North Carolina?

Gambling regulation in North Carolina is shared among multiple agencies and tribal regulatory authorities. Tribal gaming operations are regulated through tribal gaming commissions, tribal-state compacts and federal oversight under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Sports betting is overseen by state regulators, while the North Carolina Education Lottery is responsible for administering lottery operations.

Relevant North Carolina Gambling Statutes

The following statutes provide the legal framework for gambling, lottery gaming and sports wagering in North Carolina. These resources are maintained by the North Carolina General Assembly and should be consulted for the most current legal requirements.

• G.S. 14-292 - Gambling
  General prohibition against unauthorized gambling activities and games of chance, subject to exceptions authorized by state law.
  
  
• Chapter 14, Article 37 - Lotteries, Gaming, Bingo and Raffles
  North Carolina's primary criminal gambling statutes, including provisions governing lotteries, raffles, bingo and unlawful gaming activities.
  
  
• Chapter 18C - North Carolina State Lottery Act
  Establishes the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, lottery operations and gaming-related regulatory authority.
  
  
• Chapter 18C, Article 9 - Sports Wagering
  Provides the statutory framework governing legal sports betting in North Carolina, including licensing, compliance requirements and responsible gaming measures.
  
  
• G.S. 18C-901 - Sports Wagering Definitions
  Defines key terms used throughout North Carolina's sports wagering laws.
  
  

Key Federal Gaming Laws and Regulations

North Carolina's tribal casinos operate within a federal legal framework that governs gaming on tribal lands throughout the United States. The following federal statutes provide the foundation for tribal gaming regulation and sports wagering compliance.

• Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) - 25 U.S.C. Chapter 29
  The primary federal law governing tribal gaming operations in the United States. IGRA established the National Indian Gaming Commission, created Class I, II and III gaming categories, and authorized tribal-state gaming compacts for casino operations. ?1-5fab32??2-457258?
• 25 U.S.C. § 2701 - Congressional Findings
  Congressional findings supporting tribal gaming as a means of promoting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency and strong tribal governments. ?3-4b5a70??1-5fab32?
• 18 U.S.C. § 1084 - The Federal Wire Act
  Federal law governing the interstate transmission of wagering information. The Wire Act remains an important federal statute affecting sports wagering and gambling communications across state lines. ?4-ffd6d7?
• https://www.nigc.govNational Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC)
  The federal agency responsible for oversight and regulation of tribal gaming activities conducted under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Nation operate casino gaming under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), a federal law enacted in 1988. IGRA established the legal framework for tribal gaming, created the National Indian Gaming Commission and requires Class III casino gaming to be conducted pursuant to approved tribal-state compacts.

Casino gambling began in North Carolina in 1997 when the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened the first casino in Cherokee, North Carolina. The tribe later opened a second casino in Murphy, North Carolina. A third casino was opened in Kings Mountain by the Catawba Nation. Another federally=recognized tribe, the Lumbee Tribe, has not decided to proceed with a casino.

1988: Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)

Congress passes the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, establishing the legal framework for tribal gaming throughout the United States.

1994: First Tribal-State Compact

North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reach a gaming agreement allowing tribal gaming operations.

1997: Harrah's Cherokee Casino opened in Cherokee, NC

Harrah's Cherokee Casino opened Nov. 13, 1997 on a 56-acre site at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park about 50 miles southwest of Asheville, NC. See Harrah's Cherokee Casino for gaming information.

2006: North Carolina Education Lottery opened first retail sales

The law went into effect on March 30, 2006.

2015: Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino opened in Murphy

>Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino opened on Sept. 28, 2015 in Murphy, North Carolina. The casino was built on an 85-acre site in western North Carolina near U.S. 19/74. See Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino for gaming information.

2019: Sports wagering became legal on tribal lands

Sports wagering became legal on tribal lands on July 26, 2019.

2021: Gov. Roy Cooper signs gaming compact with Catawba Indian Nation

The state aurhotized the Catawba Nation to operate Vegas-style slot machines and table games (Class III gambling) at the new Two Kings Casino Resort planned for Kings Mountain, and the tribe agreed to share revenues with the state. The date was Jan. 22, 2021.

2021:Catawba Two Kings Casino opened temporary casino

The temporary casino opened July 1, 2021 to operate during construction of the permanent Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort. See Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort for gaming information.

2023: Four new casino bills

North Carolina lawmakers seriously considered legislation to authorize four new casinos. The proposed locations were Anson, Nash and Rockingham counties and Lumbee tribal land.

2024: Online sports and horserace betting become legal

The law became effective on Jan. 1, 2024.

2026: Two Kings Introductory Casino opened

The Introcutory Casino opened and replaced the Temporary Casino on May 20, 2026. The casino will operate until the kpermanent casino opens in Spring 2027.

Visit our North Carolina gaming news section for the latest casino developments, sports betting updates, tribal gaming announcements and regulatory news.

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